In the last week I've been keeping busy with quite a few games, at least by my standards. It's a good bunch of games especially because they're all distinctly different and, thusly, offer substantially different experiences and thrills from one another. To start, last week I bought a 3DS to get my hands on some Nintendo exclusives so naturally I picked up Ocarina of Time 3D the same day. This will be my fourth playthrough of the game since I first played it in 2009. So what you wanna fight about it?? Anyways needless to say I've fallen in love with Hyrule all over again but this time with the benefits of three dimensions and revamped graphics. I was a skeptic about the notion of playing games in 3D since I despise movies in the format, shout-out to James Cammy #thanksfornothing. Hatred aside it's weird what a difference that tiny little slider on the top screen actually makes on the game. I started the game with 3D in full effect as I ran around Hyrule when my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to see how the game compared without the effect. To my surprise it felt like a very different experience. I can't quite explain why the effect is so great without. The best way to explain it is that It kind of just feels like I'm looking into a fully animated diorama of one of my favorite video games ever. I should've had more faith that Nintendo knew what they were doing and that it wouldn't just be a cheesy gimmick *cough cough avatar 1-3*. At any rate, the games mechanics have remained largely the same with a couple exceptions like a sheikh stone and motion controls which I just ignore anyways. The graphics are a notable step up from the N64 version and a very welcome inclusion. I've just finished the water temple but I can say without any hesitation that it was a very good buy. The ability to play a classic 3D Zelda game on the go, and in three dimensions no less, makes it a must-buy for any 3DS owner and/or Zelda fan.

Another game I started is the original Mega Man for the NES, courtesy of the eShop channel on the 3DS. All I'd heard of the series is praises from Colin Moriarty and I agree with many of his opinions so figured I'd try it out. I didn't realize just how difficult it would be but difficult it was, especially because I started off with Cutman's level. It wasn't until after I beat this boss (after probably my tenth try) that I realized there was an order to the way you're supposed to complete the game unless you're familiar with the franchise and have no problem with the mechanics. Once I learned the order I plowed through the next five bosses in one sitting. After I saw the game over screen on Dr. Wily's level about five times I decided to take a break and haven't gotten back to it yet. However, I have every intention of doing so just so I can say I beat one of the hardest entries in the franchise. As far as what I think of the game, it's a really good time. It's addicting because I die a lot but every time I'm alive it's a learning experience. Whether it's learning attack patterns for enemies, seeing what's in store for me in the next area or finding health spawn points, I'm always taking something in. The art style alone is reason enough to buy the game especially with such a small price tag (I believe about five or six bucks). I'm sure later installments only get more creative but as it stands I really enjoy the cartoony sci-fi look that it has going on. Personally, I think you can't find 8-bit games that match the charm of Mega Man, Mario, and Metroid with the exception of 3D Dot Game Heroes, Fez, and Minecraft which each add their own quirky flare to the art style. What I'm saying is that the art and design of the game is amongst my favorite of all time and I've only played one entry in the series. The gameplay mechanics are also very good albeit a bit brutal at times. It's very unforgiving but it's to be expected (at least now) from a game that came out in the 80's. Overall, it's a very fun game that I can see myself playing for a couple minutes or a couple hours at a time. I don't know how you speedrunners do it. Kudos.

The last game that I've been playing lately is the Unfinished Swan and when I say lately I mean in the last 24 hours as I just bought it last night thanks to the PSN's 13 for '13 sale. Dolla make me hollaaa! I picked up Unfinished Swan, Psychonauts, Jak and Daxted and Ratchet and Clank for the low low price of $12. Expect a post on those games in the future. Like the last two games I haven't finished the Unfinished Swan but am arguably more in love with it than the last two. I've just started the third chapter but it's a breath of fresh air so far. If you're reading this then you're probably familiar with it, but in case you're not the game takes place in a children's book and plays out very much like a child's favorite story. You play as an orphan boy named Monroe as he explores an unfinished kingdom in pursuit of a giant unfinished swan. As Monroe you have the ability to splatter globs of paint around the world in order to discover exactly where you are and where you're going. The premise and mechanics of the game coexist beautifully because you really feel like a lost little boy in an unfamiliar environment much like Monroe. It's a very unorthodox approach to video games and a testament to the argument of whether or not video games can be art or mindless violence. In fact, there is little to no violence in any way, shape, or form because there are no enemies or weapons. There are threats such as water and to an extent heights but the monsters that inhabit the world generally leave you alone. The game really focuses on exploration and that's all it really needs to do. It's incredibly engrossing considering a large chunk of the first chapter essentially takes place in a blank slate. Thus far I've hardly even seen any textures. I mean come on! A game without textures! It's gorgeous in it's simplicity and storybook art style and shows just how little a game needs top notch graphics to consume the player. I could go on writing twice as much as I already have on this game alone discussing, how satisfying it is to go out of your way to find balloons, the way you discover pages of the book, the soothing voice of the narrator or even just how good it feels when you see and hear a ball of paint go splat in the world. I could do all of these things but I haven't even finished it yet! And that is truly a shame because a game like that can and should be played in one sitting. Or every night before you go to bed. At any rate I'm anxious to see how this artsy tale from developer Giant Sparrow unfolds so I'm going to cut this off now. Thanks for reading and I'll let my small number of followers know how these games turn out as I finish them. BEYOND!

I've been a dedicated "IGN-er"? for over six years meaning the most memorable years of my life. My opinion on games has effectively been molded by Greg Miller's reviews over the years. Fast forward to my freshman year of college and I have no idea what I want to do with my life as far as a career goes. When I'm asked what my interests are all that comes to mind is music, movies and video games. I was literally about to e-mail Daemon at Gamescoop with a question regarding video game journalism when I saw an episode that had already covered it. Everyone unanimously agreed that one of the best ways to get into this very competitive industry was to write about video games whenever you can. I'm not saying I'm going to become a journalist for IGN but I'm definitely saying I'd love to. So the idea of writing about and reviewing games for shits and giggles sold me but who knows maybe it'll help me out in the future. That being said I'm just gonna be writing about stuff I think looks cool and reviewing whatever I get my hands on using the hundreds of reviews I've read on this site as a guide. Thanks for anyone that ends up following me or for anyone that took the time to read this. It's much appreciated! Feedback is always welcome but I request that trolls return to their bridges.